History Crash Course #67: The Miracle of Jewish History

In the final analysis, Jewish history makes no rational sense.

On January 16, 1996, then President of Israel, Ezer Weizmann, gave a speech to both Houses of Parliament of Germany. He gave this speech in Hebrew to the Germans, fifty years after the Holocaust, and in it he beautifully summed up what Jewish history is. He said:

"It was fate that delivered me and my contemporaries into this great era when the Jews returned to re-establish their homeland ...

"I am no longer a wandering Jew who migrates from country to country, from exile to exile. But all Jews in every generation must regard themselves as if they had been there in previous generations, places and events. Therefore, I am still a wandering Jew but not along the far flung paths of the world. Now I migrate through the expanses of time from generation to generation down the paths of memory...

"I was a slave in Egypt. I received the Torah on Mount Sinai. Together with Joshua and Elijah I crossed the Jordan River. I entered Jerusalem with David and was exiled with Zedekiah. And I did not forget it by the rivers of Babylon. When the Lord returned the captives of Zion I dreamed among the builders of its ramparts. I fought the Romans and was banished from Spain. I was bound to the stake in Mainz. I studied Torah in Yemen and lost my family in Kishinev. I was incinerated in Treblinka, rebelled in Warsaw, and emigrated to the Land of Israel, the country from where I have been exiled and where I have been born and from which I come and to which I return.

"I am a wandering Jew who follows in the footsteps of my forebearers. And just as I escort them there and now and then, so do my forebearers accompany me and stand with me here today.

"I am a wandering Jew with the cloak of memory around my shoulders and the staff of hope in my hand. I stand at the great crossroads in time, at the end of the twentieth century. I know whence I come and with hope and apprehension I attempt to find out where I am heading.

"We are all people of memory and prayer. We are people of words and hope. We have neither established empires nor built castles and palaces. We have only placed words on top of each other. We have fashioned ideas. We have built memorials. We have dreamed towers of yearning, of Jerusalem rebuilt, of Jerusalem united, of a peace that will swiftly and speedily establish us in our days. Amen."

Supernatural

When we look back at the history of the Jewish people which we have just examined at lightning speed in this series, we have to keep one key thing in mind:

The very survival of the Jewish people through recorded time is nothing short of miraculous. The very fact that Jews exist as a nation today stands in testimony to the existence of God who acts in history. By any historical measure, the Jewish people should have disappeared long ago.

The person who summed this up best was David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of the State of Israel. He said: "A Jew who does not believe in miracles is not a realist."

Why did he say that? Because miracles are the only possible explanation for the existence of the Jewish people.

Over 300 years ago King Louis XIV of France asked Blaise Pascal, the great French philosopher, to give him proof of the supernatural. Pascal answered: "Why, the Jews, your Majesty ― the Jews."

An astonishing answer. The best proof of the supernatural that Pascal could think of was: "The Jews."

We don't have to speculate what Pascal meant when he gave this answer, because he took the trouble to spell it out. (See Pensees, para. 620, p. 285.) Pascal said that the fact that the Jewish people survived until the 17th century ― to the time period when he was living ― was nothing short of a supernatural phenomenon.

There simply was no logical explanation for it.

As we have seen from this series, Jewish history simply doesn't comply with the rest of history; it does not make sense.

Many scholar, historian and writers have noticed this and remarked about it.

Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens), the great American writer, who was an agnostic and a self-acknowledged skeptic, penned this in 1899 in Harper's Magazine:

"The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away. The Greek and Roman followed, made a vast noise and they are gone. Other peoples have sprung up, and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out and they sit in twilight now or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal, but the Jew. All other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"

Leo Nikolaivitch Tolstoy, unlike Twain, was not an agnostic. He was a very religious, Russian Orthodox Christian. He is also a very famous Russian author from the last century, perhaps best known for his War and Peace. He wrote this in 1908:

"The Jew is the emblem of eternity. He who neither slaughter nor torture of thousands of years could destroy, he who neither fire, nor sword, nor Inquisition was able to wipe off the face of the earth. He who was the first to produce the Oracles of God. He who has been for so long the Guardian of Prophecy and has transmitted it to the rest of the world. Such a nation cannot be destroyed. The Jew is as everlasting as Eternity itself.

In 1935 Nikolai Berdyaev, one of the most famous Russian philosophers of the 20th century wrote:

"The Jews have played an all-important role in history. Their destiny is too imbued with the "metaphysical" to be explained either in material or positive historical terms....Its survival is a mysterious and wonderful phenomenon demonstrating that the life of this people is governed by special predetermination, transcending the process of adaptation... The survival of the Jews, their resistance to destruction, their endurance under absolute peculiar conditions and the fateful role played by them in history; all point to the particular and mysterious foundations of their destiny."

Keeping The Faith

There is another reason why the Jewish people survived as a nation through all this time and through all the persecutions that we have barely touched on in this series ― they have clung to their religion.

"More than the Jews have kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jews."

One of the most important lessons of Jewish history is that the more the Jews have been connected to Judaism ― in lifestyle, in education, etc. ― the more likely that their children and grandchildren would have remained Jewish instead of assimilating into oblivion.

Today there are approximately 12-13 million Jews in the world, where there should be 500 million. The reasons why: 1) persecution, and 2) assimilation.

The greatest strength of the Jewish people is also their greatest weakness.

Jews are a "stiff-necked" people. They have stubbornly clung to their beliefs and as a result outlasted all of the ancient empires of history while changing the way the entire world looks at morality and the concept of God. Jewish ideas ― of one God, of a loving God, of a universal vision for humanity ― have been at odds with the philosophies of all these empires, and to hold up that vision has required an unbelievable strength of character.

And yet, what is the greatest weakness of the Jewish people? Their stubborn individuality makes them unbendable. Every Jew thinks he/she is right. The hardest job on earth must be to unify and lead the Jewish people.

Of course, this stubbornness, when focused in the right direction (through Jewish education and Jewish values) [1], has enabled the Jewish people to accomplish great things. When unified, the Jewish people are an unbeatable force in human history. As the Tikuney Zohar (60a) states:

The Torah is like oil in a lamp, and Israel is its wick, causing the light of God to shine forth on all creation.

The Mission

Jewish history is like a 6,000-piece puzzle. At the beginning you dump the pieces on the table and it makes no sense. But as we assemble piece after piece, a picture emerges. A picture that records the action of God in history. And there's no chance or randomness here. Everything happens for a reason.

By Jewish reckoning we have assembled almost all of these pieces and have only a few hundred left to go. [2] History is moving toward a conclusion, its final destination.

That final destination was described by Prophet Isaiah in these words:

In the days to come, The Mount of the Lord's House shall stand Firm above the mountains; And it shall tower above the hills. And all the nations shall gaze on it with joy, And the many peoples shall go and shall say: "Come, Let us go up to the Mount of the Lord, To the House of the God of Jacob; That He may instruct us in His ways, And that we may walk in His paths." For instruction shall come forth from Zion, The word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Thus He will judge among the many people. And arbitrate for the multitude of nations. And they shall beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not take up Sword against nation; They shall never again know war. (Isaiah 2:2-4; see also Micah 4:1-4)

[1] The Talmud (Beitzah 25b) writes: "Why was the Torah given to Israel? Because they are aggressive and stubborn... If the Torah had not been given to Israel no nation or tongue could withstand them..." The great Medieval Bible commentator, Rashi, when commenting on this Talmudis statement said: "The Torah was given to the Jews because they are overly aggressive and the Torah serves to moderate their energy and subdue their heart."

[2] The 6,000 pieces of the puzzle comes from the concept of the 6,000 years of history mentioned at the beginning of this book. The 6,000 years mentioned in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 97a) is not calculated from creation of the universe, but rather from the birth of Adam and mirrors the weekly cycle (The year 2000 CE was equal to the Jewish year 5760). Just as the Jewish week begins on Sunday and runs through Friday, so too is human history is to comprise a maximum of six millennia of history as we know it. At the end of this weekly cycle we enter the Sabbath, a day of spirituality and rest, so too after a maximum of 6,000 years of history, humanity will enter the seventh millennium called the World to Come (in Hebrew, Olam Haba).

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About the Author

Rabbi Ken Spiro, originally from New Rochelle, NY, graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has rabbinic ordination from Aish Jerusalem and a Masters Degree in History from Vermont College of Norwich University. Rabbi Spiro is also a licensed tour guide by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs such as BBC, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel. He lives near Jerusalem with his wife and five children, where he works as a senior lecturer for Aish Jerusalem.

In one volume, Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 4,000 years of Jewish existence while answering the great questions: Why have the Jewish people been so unique, so impactful, yet so hated and so relentlessly persecuted?

Crash Course in Jewish History is not only comprehensive and readable, it is also entertaining and enlightening. Novices and scholars alike will find Crash Course in Jewish History to be thought-provoking and insightful, as well as a valuable and relevant guide to understanding the challenges we all face in the 21st century.

Visitor Comments: 35

I live in the US.and you said; The Jews biggest enemy is other Jews It's so true I see it all the time, and I can't understand it.

(34)
Anonymous,
April 14, 2011 6:24 AM

Was there a divine hand at work?

The very night that Prof.Elazar L. Sukenik was deciphering the Dead Sea Scrolls coincided with the the moment when UN voted for the Jewish State. And that was the moment when Sukenik came to a passage:"I was driven from my home like a bird from its nest...I was cast down, but raised up again", and also the discovery of the declaration:" I give thanks to Thee, O Lord...." Was this known as "The Thanksgiving
Hymns"? What a timing for the rebirth of a nation!!

(33)
Daniel,
July 31, 2010 9:11 PM

Proud of our heritage

I'm so proud to be Jewish. I was left out in the wilderness for years which nearly destroyed me. I had totally lost my way. This is because I forgot my faith, my religion, where we come from, where we've been. I'm 31 now and I promise unitl the day I die and beyond I will never abandon my faith again, NEVER! I will never abandon our history, our ongoing struggles. My mother is Israeli, my family live in Israel but I was born in the UK. Recently I renewed my Israeli passport. I've been speaking to this girl from Israel, she contacted me literally out of the blue a few months back when I was physically and spiritually all but done! We've chatted for hours, she has told me she's been visitng the Rabbi for the last 2 years, Teshuvah! (Return) I love the fact she's pure, she tries to observe Jewish law the best she can. She came through my Mum at a time I needed her! When I go to visit she promises to take me to Kotel in Jerusalem, now that is some first date. Hashem works in funny ways but I want to come home now out of the wilderness.

(32)
Shirley Aaron,
September 29, 2009 7:21 AM

Excellent

Rabbi Ken Spiro, it's a great work. I was able to learn a lot. It gives a great deal of in depth understanding. I have been really benefitted by this series. Thanks once again.

(31)
menashe Kaltmann,
April 1, 2008 12:57 AM

Fantastic series

R.Spiro and aish.com thank you yet again for this fantastic history series.

We need to see the finale of Jewish history hopefully G-d willing in our days the coming of the true Messiah Moshiach as foretold in Tanach the Jewish scriptures that will really complete this series!

(30)
Jeff,
March 28, 2008 5:27 PM

why thereare only 15 million jews

The reason to me is simple, plain, and clear. One of the Jews biggest enemy is other Jews! I have lived only 40 years in a free society of Canada and the USA, with low amounts of anti-semitism, high amounts of inter-marriage, high amount of Jewish wealth, and high amounts of Jewish poverty and welfare both in Canada and the USA. The reason is an almost complete lack of Jewish cohesion, which I have written about for more than 10 years, with few changes. If anyone is interested to discuss, please email me at jeffrey.muchnik@gmail.com

(29)
Dvirah,
March 27, 2008 2:14 PM

To Anonymous 11/20/2005, Be Comforted

I don't know whether you still read this website, but know that in Israel today the torch protesting holding Olympic games in China while China continues to oppress its people is being passed throughout the country. As Yossi said we cannot solve every problem but what we can do, we do.

as above. one line summary. agree with those who enjoy the Crash Course on Jewish History. I love it. Thank u. it reinforces my biblical knowledge.thank u once again.

(27)
yossi,
November 19, 2007 12:13 AM

Anonymous

Im sorry, anonymous, but it isn't like the Jewish people can stand up for EVERY wrong doing man has committed. No, the very opposite, the very world owes all its allegiences to the Jewish people, for every nation has tortured and exiled the Jewish people throughout history. As you can see Jews have problems of their own at the moment. Nevertheless when the Jewish people have the space and ability to stand for justice you will see them in the foreground. Social engineering?

(26)
Stanley Kaufman,
July 27, 2006 12:00 AM

The Spiro series is an incredible work and indispensable for those of us involved in fighting an anti semitic press. Thank you and Rabbi Spiro. Stanley Kaufman

(25)
Anonymous,
November 20, 2005 12:00 AM

Please Help

I have heard the phrase many, many times "never again", and it was this phrase that I thought of today when I saw a news segment today on the CBC regarding the abuses suffered by prisioners in China. Like the persecution of the jews, these people are being lined up and shot at the edge of ravines, open graves, because of their religious beliefs. Excuse spelling, but it sounds like feng shu. Please speak up for them! In canada, there is a former Chinese prison official who is speaking out - he has applied for refugee status - and has been denied. He will be murdered if sent back to China. As usual, our govn't is more concerned with insulting the Chinese than speaking out about these kinds of abuses. Please help these people. I am a simple person with no political connections, but my conscience compels me to try to elicit help from wherever I can. Please make "Never Again" a reality, because it keeps happening, despite the vows of like minded people. Like the Balkans, Rawanda, oil rich african countries. Please.

(24)
Anonymous,
May 11, 2005 12:00 AM

I just found your website and this article, both are truly excellent, and express, exactly how I feel to be Jewish. I grew up Reform, and looking to learn more and more about Judaism, and Jewish history.

(23)
Anonymous,
November 10, 2004 12:00 AM

israel should explain to the moslem world how much they are helping the majority of the palestinian ppeople

jewish peopol are not making propaganda of what they are doing to all nations they dont show how much they help others .myself when i went to england only the jews who helped me and showed me the way to success .but there are many people who are not grateful.but also tere are plenty who loves the jews even in saudi arabia

(22)
Brent Crobak,
January 16, 2004 12:00 AM

The Religous must act in a religous way, or become moraly bankrupt.

If Israel cannot assimilate Muslim and Palistinian as true citizens, both the state of Israel and its religous nature are doomed to ultimate failure.

(21)
David Silver,
November 28, 2003 12:00 AM

Jewish History

Jewish history is unique in several ways . Jewish history is in a line pointing to a goal. that is to bring Moshiach. At the same time it is cyclic in that I mean is the remembering. No people can have such a history because no other have been chosen. The article stressed that all odds are that the Jews should not exist. How could that be with the great task ahead. I think that the future is sure.

(20)
Larry Krauser,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

Walking the path

When I read Weizman's words I cried--for those of our brothers and sisters who walked the last 2000 years, but were unable to set foot once again in Eretz Yisrael; but whose footsteps, never faltering, never failing, allowed me to ascend the hills of zion.

(19)
Edgardo Carrasquillo,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

A miracle we should never forget.

Excellent article. Yes, it is a miracle
we should never forget.

(18)
David Morse,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

Another prophecy-

Let's not forget the prophecy that
says that the city that was divided shall be reunited.. Please don't
let it be divided again!

(17)
Sara Hoffman,
July 17, 2003 12:00 AM

one word: amazing

thank you r' spiro for writing these articles. until i found these, i had been searchign for this exactly. you opened my eyes up and i learned so much. thank you very much

(16)
Anonymous,
May 31, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank you!

I feel very happy and lucky to have found this website. The Jewish history articles are incredible, and my printer is getting a real workout!

(15)
John Doe,
April 3, 2002 12:00 AM

Peace to all

Very informative but very sad that so many potentially productive and brilliant souls have parished on both sides. In this world they get no second chance...I pray for peace

(14)
Anonymous,
March 30, 2002 12:00 AM

Wow, what a wealth of knowledge

With what is going on in the world to date I was looking for a condense history of Israel. Thank you for providing that. My prayers are always with you. Tracie from Florida, USA

(13)
RAMAZAN CERMA,
March 27, 2002 12:00 AM

THIS IS GREAT!

I AM THURSTY TO NOW EVERYTHING
ABOUT JEWS AND IT'S HISTORY.
I WAS JUST SURFING WHEN I DISCOVERED
THIS....

(12)
stacey heller,
March 16, 2002 12:00 AM

what a great reference!

these are some great quotes -- i plan to use them during our passover seder to discuss issues facing the Jewish people today.

thank you
stacey heller
Jewish californian living in NYC!

(11)
Alexander,
March 15, 2002 12:00 AM

G-d Bless Am Israel...My prayers are always with you

(10)
Hank Brandon,
March 15, 2002 12:00 AM

Thanks for your Crash course in Jewsih History.

First of all, I want to thank R. Spiro personally for showing the mens mission from Denver, Las Vegas, New York, and Toronto the city of Jeruselam. Walking around with you was like haveing a walking, talking encyclopedia of Jewish history for our personal use. Not only that, the spiritual side expressed made HaShem that much closer, as if you could get much closer in Jeruselam. I look forward to my next trip to Eretz Tzvi and meeting and studying again with all of the wonderful students and Rabbis of Aish.
Also, thank you for this wonderful, educational, inspirational series of aricles on Jewish history. How appropriate that you end it with this article when Israel faces so much opposition within and without and especially as we approsch this Festival that celebrates our Freedom and Liberation, our ability to attain our ultimate potential, from those of the outer world that want to make us slaves. Pharoah, the Romans, Haman, Stalin, Hitler etc. are no longer here, but the Jew stands tall and proud, firmly rooted in the moral principles that have guided all of our generatons. And, those principles our are gift to the world, no matter how much they want to pervert them and not acknowledge us.
To all who read this, Chag Sameach, Happy Pesach, and may we see Moshiach speedily and in our days.

(9)
Nic Ng,
March 13, 2002 12:00 AM

G_d has truly blessed the nations of the world through the seeds of Abraham.

Since young, in my early teens, somehow I always knew the Jewish people were special. Thanks to your stupendous effort each week, I now know much more clearly the reason for my youthful insight. Truly as Einstein was voted the man of the 20th Century, I believe that many nations have been blessed because through the seeds of Abraham came the knowledge of the one true moral G_d.

(8)
Phyllis Harnetiaux,
March 13, 2002 12:00 AM

National Day of Prayer

What concerns you concerns me, I have joined you in Prayer and fasting today.

(7)
Deena Finney,
March 13, 2002 12:00 AM

Terrific article!

A very superb article. Without a doubt, the Jewish people are nothing short of a miracle of God. And the glory days of Israel are yet to come!

(6)
Laurence A. Somers,
March 12, 2002 12:00 AM

Excellent!

Print the Crash Course in Jewish History as a book. I'd buy it, and I'm sure a lot of others would also. Any plans to make a book of it?

(5)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2002 12:00 AM

dont end!!!!!

dont end

(4)
Dennis Tamasovich,
March 11, 2002 12:00 AM

A Correction

Sorry about my mistake on my last name. It is indeed Tamasovich. The "Tama" comes from the name "Ithamar" , who was/is the youngest son of Aaron, as most of you know. The "ovich" I discovered comes from the Sloak, which means "son of" or descendant of ". And, of course, Daniel is a Hebrew version of Dennis is Greek. I can blame my parents for this. I didn't name myself at birth, but it sure helped in finding the reason why I was always having thse dreams of future events..like The persian Gulf War and The Panama Invasion (watch for a great earthquake for Barberton, OH). It was from this town that I was "betrayed by father, mother, sister and brother" into the Vietnam War on 14 October 1966. As one of the Elect of G_d, I await for this judgement with a sense of righteousness. And HaShem is righteous!

(3)
Noah Caplan,
March 11, 2002 12:00 AM

wow

I don't think it's been put quite so well.
'shkoyach

(2)
Anonymous,
March 10, 2002 12:00 AM

IT WAS GREAT TO READ EVERY WEEK THE HISTORY

even though I know the history & I learned in adult education classes in our shul i still looked forward every w
week to read what you wrote I'm one of the younger holocust survivor & know what it is about my family lives in Israel we have been to Israel 20 times
GOD willing we'll be In Israel after Pasach & we plan to stop at aish we took a couple of lessons last year
I just finished talking to my family in Natania even though they went out for
coffee next to the hotels thank GOD they are ok
Have a peacful Pesach
Sincerely Ida Turner

(1)
Anonymous,
March 10, 2002 12:00 AM

Unbelievable!

An extraordinary article--but then again, Jewish history is pretty out of the ordinary itself! :)

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...